In MI Downtown

This episode of In MI Downtown explores the concept of revolving loan funds, their benefits, challenges, and best practices for downtown development and small business support. Guests Josh, Sam and Lizzie share insights from Michigan communities on how these funds foster economic vitality and community wealth building.

In this episode, MDA Executive Director Dana Walker interviews Jennifer Foster, CEO of Catalyst Media Factory, about how small businesses can leverage PR and social media to thrive in downtown areas. They discuss practical strategies for marketing, building community relationships, and adapting to modern consumer behaviors.

This podcast features an insightful discussion with Shanna Dreheim, Policy Director at the Michigan Municipal League, exploring the fundamentals of public policy and its impact on downtown development and community revitalization in Michigan.

In this episode, Dana Walker discusses the Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) with Vic Veda and Burke Sage. They explore the benefits of MRA membership, including legislative advocacy, merchant services, and community engagement through initiatives like the Buy Nearby campaign. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting local businesses, especially in the face of challenges like e-...

MDA Executive Director Dana Walker, along with members of the organizational Advocacy Committee, discusses the value and details of the upcoming annual visit with legislators in Michigan's Capitol in Lansing. Thank you to James Alt, Kate Knight and Nate Mack for your contributions.

In this episode of The Pulse, Dana Walker speaks with Jeff Genova, the Downtown Development Authority Coordinator for Holland, Michigan. They discuss Jeff's journey from managing a brewery to his current role in city government, emphasizing the importance of community collaboration and relationships with local businesses. Jeff shares insights about the innovative infrastructure in Holland, inc...

In this episode of In MI Downtown, Bob Hahn from Farmington Hills-based lighting supplier Lumecon discusses advances in the lighting industry, the Dark Skies Initiative and the importance of lighting to downtown safety and ambiance.

In the March, 2025 episode of In MI Downtown , we discussed Facade Incentive Programs with Boyne City's Ingrid Day. As a follow-up to that conversation, we invited Michigan's State Historic Preservation Office to explain in more detail the design guidelines that are necessary to consider whether or not to approve a facade application. SHPO's CLG and Community Preservation Coordinator H...

Combining specialties to create the boutique consulting firm GD Placemaking, Lindsey Dotson and Rae Gosling offer services to communities for project management, Main Street consulting and small business support. The Michigan Downtown Association and GD Placemaking are joining forces to offer a consulting package to a business applicant from a Michigan downtown. Find out more by listening in.

Looking for a unique way to engage your downtown visitors in any season? Find out more about Ice Guru Events from owner Randy Finch. From ice sculpting to bubble clouds, services from Ice Guru Events can help activate downtown spaces and captivate event goers with immersive experiences!

Facade Improvement Programs are a tool long-used by DDAs and Main Street Programs to compel, support and incentivize improvements that add to a downtown's historic character and quality. In today's episode, we learn some best practices from Main Street Boyne City's Ingrid Day.

Coordination and communication are key ingredients to a healthy relationship with city leaders who are looking to their DDAs for economic development success. Paul Zelenak, long-time volunteer with the MDA and an experienced city manager who understands the value that DDAs bring, offers his perspective and experiences on building a better relationship with your CVT council in this episode of In MI...

Downtown directors are the heartbeat of their communities! And, Mike McGuiness has been integrally involved in the workings of not one, but two communities with his creative and positive leadership style. Learn how Mike has straddled Woodward Avenue in Oakland County, Michigan, to follow his passion for community-building in Berkley and Pontiac. Do not miss this fast-paced discussion about a life-...

Michigan's downtown directors are the heartbeat of their communities! And, we'd like to get to know them better. In this special episode of The Pulse/In MI Downtown, we learn more about Downtown Wixom's Laura Cloutier who is entering her fifth year of downtown management. Learn about Laura's childhood in Southfield, her path to the downtown career field, and her passion for flower gardens and char...

At its 2024 annual conference, the MDA announced the recipients of four awards for excellence! In this episode, we learn about the awards and the community reactions from the respective DDA Directors in Farmington, Wixom, Sparta and Lake Orion. Congratulations to the winners! A special podcast featuring Downtown Milford's award winning Central Park will soon be available!

Need help getting out your downtown's story? Community branding and downtown marketing work hand-in-hand to provide a platform for you to raise awareness and to attract more visitors. Learn the latest trends from Kim Rivera, owner of New Moon Visions, a long-time supporter of downtowns and the MDA!

The membership of the Michigan Downtown Association meets this November, 2024, for its annual fall conference in one of Michigan's premier downtowns, Ann Arbor! Guests Dana Walker, MDA ED, and Maura Thomson, A2 DDA ED, share the conference highlights and the top things to see and do while visiting this great college town. Go Blue and get smarter about downtown revitalization.

Sam Plymale, Plymouth DDA's Executive Director, discusses the why and how of the creation of Downtown Plymouth's 2024 Five-Year Strategic Plan, followed up with a brief outline of what is included in the plan and lessons learned. Downtown directors can learn what might trigger the need for completion of a plan and the best practices to follow during its creation. Sam completed this podcast...

Once a Spartan, always a Spartan! Learn what DDA and farm life is like for Sparta DDA Executive Director Elizabeth Morse. Hear more about her journey from being a high schooler who wanted to leave her town to being one of its most impactful leaders. Downtown directors are the heartbeat of their communities and Liz is no exception. This is The Pulse, a special edition of In MI Downtown.

In this episode of The Pulse, we learn about the nexus of downtown management, youth sports and landscape architecture from Downtown Frankenmuth's Dan Hopp. Join MDA Executive Director Dana Walker as she talks with Dan about flowers, hockey and partnerships with the DDA Director of Michigan's Little Bavaria!

Many MI communities follow the Main Street approach to assist with creating a road map for successful downtown revitalization. But, Main Street brings its own strengths and weaknesses with it. Learn how two MI communities have navigated the highs and lows of Main Street with guests Kate Litwin from Downtown Howell and Polly Schneider from Downtown Cheboygan.

Meet Natacha Hayden, a Brazil native who started her career in downtown management along a rather unusual path. MDA Executive Director Dana Walker interviews Natacha about futbol, living near the water and Downtown Port Huron's revitalization progress.

Funding diversification for downtowns is a popular topic and certain projects might be right for a crowd-granting program. We talked with Patronicity's MI Program Director Mahala Clayton about the Public Spaces, Community Places Program. Learn how you can use this important tool to leap over that last fundraising hurdle and get shovels in the ground!

This episode of In MI Downtown is part of our special series of interviews with Michigan's fabulous downtown directors that we call The Pulse. We learn from Tara Laase-McKinney from the Marquette DDA how her background and experiences, and recreational interests, led her to thrive in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Host Dana Walker, MDA Executive Director, leads the Q&A.

Downtown directors are the heartbeat of their communities and we want to get better acquainted with our fantastic MI staffers. In this episode, we find out more about what makes the Oxford DDA's Kelly Westbrook tick. Learn about her journey from the Detroit Pistons to Nascar to downtown work, with a little side gig as Mrs. Michigan! It's all on The Pulse, a special series of In MI Downtown...